Vegan cheese Beyond burger with avocado for under US$15 at hkveganshop in Wan Chai
- Our vegan cheese Beyond burger was meaty and chewy, but it lacked the juiciness, moisture and thickness of a super satisfying burger
- Basil, tomato spaghetti with Omnipork had sweetcorn meatballs that had a nice springy texture and mild flavour
Going vegan does not mean you have to give up on your favourite beef burger or meatball spaghetti meals. At hkveganshop, you can find spaghetti bolognese, burgers and burritos made with plant-based meat.
In general, mock meat mimics the texture of traditional meat with protein from pea, soy, or other vegetables and grains.
We were at the vegan restaurant for lunch, and ordered a vegan cheese Beyond burger with avocado (HK$111, US$14) and a basil, tomato spaghetti with Omnipork and sweetcorn meatballs (HK$72). Both dishes are accompanied with a small bowl of salad with lettuce, red cabbage, corn and carrot.
Each one is also individually marked with a tiny flag indicating the type of mock meat used.
Soon after we placed our order, we heard a sizzling sound from the kitchen that made our mouth water. The tomato spaghetti then came to our table with five mini Omnipork and corn meatballs, a few fresh basil leaves and quite a lot of ground black pepper.
The meatless balls weren’t mushy at all – they had a nice springy texture and mild flavour. They also held the corn kernels firmly without a sign of falling apart.
The pasta was cooked al dente but the sauce could have been be richer, perhaps with more fresh tomato. Next came the burger with vegan meat patty substitute Beyond Beef, vegan cheese, lettuce, tomato and avocado.
Although it had quite a convincing texture – meaty and chewy – the patty lacked the juiciness, moisture and thickness of a super satisfying burger.
It would also be even better if the cheese melted on top of the patty, instead of sitting on the burger like a completely separate layer.
Still, the buns were toasted perfectly and the thick, crispy waffle fries were the burger’s best buddies.
To finish off the meal, we tried the butterfly pea flower tea that brewed into a vivid blue hue.
The flowers in a small drawstring bag had no prominent taste, but offered a fun and colourful drink choice.
At this semi-self service restaurant, you place your order and pay at the counter, wait at your table to be served, get your own utensils and tidy up your dishes before you go. They also offer paper straws for soda specials and plant milk drinks.
hkveganshop, 1/F, Fortune Building, 158 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, tel: 6808 3768. Open: Monday to Saturday 11am-8pm
